Character Strengths for Happiness at Work: How to Thrive by Being Yourself

Why Some People Love Monday Mornings (And How You Can Too)

Have you ever worked with someone who just seems to light up when they’re doing their job? Maybe it’s the colleague who gets genuinely excited about solving complex problems, or the teammate who naturally brings people together during stressful projects. These aren’t necessarily the people with the highest salaries or fanciest titles—they’re the ones who’ve figured out how to use their natural character strengths at work.

If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or wondering why work feels more like drudgery than fulfillment, the answer might not be a career change or a new boss. It might be learning to recognize and use the unique strengths you already have.

Let me share how identifying your character strengths can transform not just your work experience, but your overall happiness and well-being.

Understanding Character Strengths: Your Personal Superpowers

Character strengths aren’t skills you learned in school or technical abilities you’ve developed. They’re the positive personality traits that come naturally to you—the ways you think, feel, and behave when you’re at your best.

The field of positive psychology has identified 24 universal character strengths that show up across all cultures and backgrounds. These include qualities like:

Wisdom and Knowledge: Creativity, curiosity, love of learning, judgment, perspective Courage: Bravery, perseverance, honesty, zest Humanity: Love, kindness, social intelligence Justice: Teamwork, fairness, leadership Temperance: Forgiveness, humility, prudence, self-regulation Transcendence: Appreciation of beauty, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality

Here’s what makes character strengths special: Unlike personality traits that can sometimes work against us, character strengths are universally valued and lead to positive outcomes when we use them. When you operate from your strengths, you feel more energized, authentic, and effective.

Most people have 3-7 “signature strengths”—the character traits that feel most essential to who you are. These are the strengths that, when you use them, make you feel like you’re being your truest self.

The Science of Strengths at Work

Research consistently shows that people who use their character strengths regularly at work experience remarkable benefits:

Higher Job Satisfaction: Employees who use their top strengths daily are up to 18 times more likely to report flourishing at work

Better Performance: Teams that focus on strengths show increased productivity and engagement

Reduced Burnout: People who align their jobs with their strengths are significantly less likely to experience burnout

Improved Well-being: Using your strengths regularly leads to higher levels of life satisfaction and lower stress

Stronger Relationships: When you operate from your strengths, you tend to build better connections with colleagues

Callout Box: The Strengths Sweet Spot Research shows that using 3-5 of your signature strengths at work leads to optimal job satisfaction. Interestingly, trying to use more than five doesn’t increase satisfaction further—so don’t feel pressure to incorporate every single strength into your workday.

Discovering Your Signature Strengths

Before you can use your strengths, you need to identify them. Here are several ways to uncover your natural character strengths:

Self-Reflection Questions

Ask yourself:

• When do I feel most energized and engaged at work?
• What activities make me lose track of time?
• What do colleagues often ask for my help with?
• When have I felt most proud of my contributions?
• What comes so naturally to me that I’m surprised others find it difficult?

The VIA Character Strengths Survey

For a more systematic approach, take the free VIA (Values in Action) Survey online. This scientifically validated assessment will rank all 24 character strengths and identify your top signature strengths.

External Feedback

Sometimes others see our strengths more clearly than we do. Ask trusted colleagues, friends, or family members:

• What do you see as my greatest strengths?
• When have you seen me at my best?
• What positive traits do I consistently demonstrate?

Practical Ways to Use Your Strengths at Work

Once you’ve identified your signature strengths, the key is finding creative ways to incorporate them into your daily work routine. Here are examples for different strengths:

If Creativity is a Signature Strength:

• Volunteer to brainstorm solutions for challenging projects
• Suggest new approaches to routine processes
• Design presentations or materials for your team
• Contribute ideas during planning sessions

If Gratitude is a Signature Strength:

• Start team meetings by acknowledging recent contributions
• Write thank-you notes to colleagues who’ve helped you
• Celebrate team wins, both big and small
• Create systems to recognize others’ efforts

If Curiosity is a Signature Strength:

• Ask thoughtful questions during meetings
• Research new industry trends to share with your team
• Volunteer for cross-functional projects
• Suggest process improvements based on your observations

If Leadership is a Signature Strength:

• Mentor newer team members
• Volunteer to lead projects or initiatives
• Help resolve conflicts between colleagues
• Take initiative during challenging situations

If Perseverance is a Signature Strength:

• Take on long-term, complex projects
• Stay committed when others might give up
• Help teams push through difficult phases
• Share your persistence strategies with colleagues

Building a Strengths-Based Team Culture

Individual strengths work best when they’re supported by a team culture that values and develops everyone’s unique contributions:

For Team Leaders:

• Help team members identify their signature strengths
• Assign projects that allow people to use their natural talents
• Celebrate diverse strengths rather than expecting everyone to be the same
• Provide opportunities for people to develop their strongest areas

For Team Members:

• Share your strengths with colleagues and learn about theirs
• Volunteer for tasks that align with your natural abilities
• Support others by acknowledging and appreciating their unique contributions
• Create partnerships where different strengths complement each other

Overcoming Common Challenges

“I Don’t See How My Strengths Fit My Current Role”

Start small. Even if your job doesn’t seem aligned with your strengths, look for micro-opportunities to use them. If you’re strong in humor, lighten tense moments. If you’re naturally kind, be the person who checks in on stressed colleagues.

“My Strengths Seem ‘Soft’ Compared to Technical Skills”

Character strengths are increasingly recognized as crucial for workplace success. Emotional intelligence, collaboration, and adaptability are highly valued by employers. Your “soft” strengths may be exactly what your organization needs.

“I’m Worried About Being Pigeonholed”

Using your strengths doesn’t mean limiting yourself to only certain types of tasks. It means bringing your natural talents to whatever you’re doing, making you more effective across various responsibilities.

Fun Element: Your Strengths in Action Challenge

Try this week-long experiment to see how using your strengths affects your work experience:

Day 1-2: Observation

• Notice when you feel most engaged and energized at work
• Pay attention to tasks that feel effortless vs. draining
• Note which activities you naturally gravitate toward

Day 3-4: Intentional Application

• Choose one signature strength to consciously use each day
• Find at least one way to apply this strength in your work tasks
• Notice how it feels to operate from this strength

Day 5-7: Expansion and Reflection

• Try incorporating 2-3 different strengths throughout your workday
• Ask for feedback from a trusted colleague about positive changes they notice
• Reflect on which applications felt most natural and energizing

Track your experience: Rate your daily job satisfaction, energy level, and sense of purpose from 1-10. Notice patterns and positive changes.

The Ripple Effect: How Strengths Improve Overall Well-being

Using your character strengths at work doesn’t just make you better at your job—it improves your overall mental health and life satisfaction. When you operate from your strengths regularly, you experience:

Increased Resilience: Your natural strengths become resources you can draw on during challenging times

Greater Authenticity: You feel more like yourself, reducing the stress of trying to be someone you’re not

Enhanced Confidence: Success that comes from using your natural talents builds genuine self-esteem

Improved Relationships: When you’re operating from your strengths, you’re generally more positive and easier to work with

Better Work-Life Integration: The energy you gain from using your strengths at work carries over into your personal life

Making Long-term Changes

While small daily applications of your strengths can make an immediate difference, consider these longer-term strategies:

Career Development: Look for roles, projects, or responsibilities that better align with your signature strengths

Professional Growth: Develop your strengths further through training, mentoring, or stretch assignments

Job Crafting: Work with your manager to modify aspects of your current role to better incorporate your strengths

Team Development: Advocate for strengths-based approaches in your organization’s professional development programs

Moving Forward: Your Strengths-Based Action Plan

The journey to greater workplace happiness through character strengths starts with awareness and grows through intentional practice. Here’s how to begin:

1. Identify your signature strengths using self-reflection and assessment tools
2. Start small by finding one way each day to use a core strength
3. Notice the impact on your energy, satisfaction, and effectiveness
4. Expand gradually by incorporating multiple strengths into your routine
5. Share with others to build a more strengths-aware team culture

Remember, this isn’t about completely overhauling your career overnight. It’s about bringing more of your authentic self to the work you’re already doing, creating a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to your professional life.

Your character strengths are uniquely yours—a combination of traits that no one else possesses in quite the same way. When you learn to recognize and apply these strengths consistently, work transforms from something you have to do into something that energizes and fulfills you.

The path to workplace happiness might be simpler than you think. It starts with being more of who you already are.

Ready to explore how your unique strengths can improve your overall well-being? www.drlewis.com

References:

Harzer, C., & Ruch, W. (2012). When the job is a calling: The role of applying one’s signature strengths at work. Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(5), 362-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.702784 

Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Free Press.

Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.